Residents of Lice Exposed to Cannabis Smoke After Police Burn Seized Drugs
In a controversial incident in the town of Lice, located in Turkey’s Diyarbakır province, thousands of residents found themselves involuntarily inhaling cannabis smoke after local authorities conducted a large-scale drug destruction operation. Over 20 tons of confiscated cannabis were burned in the town center, leading to significant public health concerns.
Operation Details and Community Impact
On April 18, Turkish authorities initiated an operation to incinerate more than 20 tons of seized cannabis, generating a thick cloud of smoke that enveloped the town. For five consecutive days, residents reported discomfort, as many were hesitant to open windows or venture outside for fear of experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and hallucinations. The destroyed cannabis, valued at approximately 10 billion Turkish Lira (around $261 million), weighed a total of 20 tons and had been collected throughout Diyarbakır province over the course of 2023 and 2024.
“The smell of drugs has been enveloping the district for days,” complained a local resident. “We cannot open our windows. Our children got sick; we are constantly going to the hospital.”
Expert Criticism and Suggested Alternatives
Yahya Öğer, Chairman of the Yeşil Yıldız Association, voiced concerns about how the operation was conducted. While he acknowledged the importance of combating drug use, he criticized the method of destruction, particularly noting the arrangement of the cannabis bags to form the name of the town in flames. This action, he argued, only exacerbated the distress of the local population.
Öğer stated, “This may have been intended as a deterrent, but the destruction in a populated area can seriously discomfort residents due to the hemp smoke.” He recommended that authorities explore alternatives, such as disposing of cannabis in factories equipped with filtered chimneys to minimize smoke exposure to the public.
“As you know, burning such substances can lead to significant intoxication,” Öğer explained. “Just as tobacco can harm passive smokers in enclosed spaces, the smoke from narcotic substances poses health risks to nearby residents, potentially intoxicating them and causing symptoms like dizziness and hallucinations.”
